Part 3: People at the centre
It’s about people, not buildings or technology
Aurecon recently met with a multi-million dollar telecommunications company about building some swish headquarters. “We want the latest technology. We want high tech!” reads the wish list. “Why?” we countered. The reply was astounding.
The company faces a war for talent and needed to create a place where talented programmers would want to work. Asking “Why?” and thereby uncovering the real purpose of the building would re-shape how we designed the building.
Very often, we get so caught up in the technology involved in buildings of the future, focusing on everything from building management system apps and information screens to automated elevators and rooms that are air conditioned and lit a few seconds before occupants enter them, that we forget who a building is ultimately designed for: people.
Building design is not (only) about bits and bytes, but flesh and bones – we need to take a step back and remember that humans are at the centre of everything we design. Buildings of the future are about designs that unlock human potential. High tech is only high value if that same technology enhances human experience.
At construction company Laing O’Rourke, baby Capybaras can be found running around on the big screens in their staff breakout area. It doesn’t take rocket science to see why. The construction company understands that cute, furry animals and buildings of the future have everything in common – as found in a Hiroshima University study. Both can set off endorphins, help combat stress and profoundly elevate moods. This clever use of technology to unlock human emotion is having impressive bottom line benefits.
We asked people what they wanted Buildings of the Future to be like. Watch this video to hear their thoughts.
Please enjoy the third installment in the series, "Buildings of the Future: People at the centre" via the interactive eMagazine or explore via the key themes below.
Human-centred equals future-focused
Buildings of the future are about designs that unlock human potential and encourage us to think and innovate for a world we can only imagine. Putting people at the centre of the design process forces us to change our focus to the future – how will we work and live in the future and what do we need to do now to be ready for that evolution?
Building design is not (only) about bits and bytes, but flesh and bones – we need to take a step back and remember that humans are at the centre of everything we design. Buildings of the future are about designs that unlock human potential and encourage us to think and innovate for a world we can only imagine.
